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Washington Wizards: What to expect from the newest Wizards

By Andrew E. Johnson

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 8: Wesley Johnson #4 and Jabari Parker #12 of the Washington Wizards pose for a portrait at Capital One Arena on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 8: Wesley Johnson #4 and Jabari Parker #12 of the Washington Wizards pose for a portrait at Capital One Arena on February 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bulls, Jabari Parker
Chicago Bulls, Jabari Parker (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jabari Parker

Of the three new Wizards, Parker is probably the one that the team can expect the most production from, especially immediately.

The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft has proven he can do one thing quite well, and that’s score. Before joining the Bulls in the offseason, Parker averaged 15.3 points per game for the Milwaukee Bucks in four seasons, including 20.1 points per game in 2016-2017.

Keep in mind this was amid recovering from two separate season-ending ACL tears in the same knee. For most players, coming back from the level of injury is hard enough and producing in the same way as they did before the injury can be challenge. For Parker, he tended to pick up where he left off.

With the Bulls this season, he was averaging 14.3 points per game and 6.2 rebounds.

That said, just don’t expect much of him on defense: He apparently doesn’t believe he’s paid to play on that end of the floor.

Last season, Parker shifted to more of a bench role for the Bucks, and and did the same for the Bulls this season, coming off the bench in 22 of the 39 games he played. At one point, the team took him out of the rotation as it dealt with various internal tensions, but he still managed to put up points whenever he saw the floor.

Outside of Bradley Beal, the Wizards don’t have a proven, consistent scorer, so Parker will surely get his opportunities to carry the offensive load, especially off the bench. Don’t be surprised if he’s the team second-leading scorer from this point forward.

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